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Statistics Canada December 2017 Labour Force Survey Report

By January 11, 2018 at 12:39pm

Canada added 79,000jobs in December, and the unemployment rate fell (0.2 percentage points) to 5.7 per cent. This is the lowest rate since comparable data became available in January 1976, according to the most recent Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey Report.

Highlights in December

In the 12 months to December, employment was up 423,000 (+2.3 per cent), with nearly all the gains in full-time work (+394,000 or +2.7 per cent). Over the same period, total hours worked grew 3.1 per cent. This is the fastest December-to-December growth rate since 2002. In comparison, employment grew by 229,000 (+1.3 per cent) in 2016.

In the 12 months to December, the unemployment rate fell by 1.2 percentage points.

Full-time employment followed an upward trend in 2017, increasing by 394,000 (+2.7 per cent), while part-time employment held relatively steady.

Regional Highlights

Quebec and Alberta led provincial employment gains in the month of December:

In Quebec, employment was up for the third consecutive month, increasing 27,000 in December. The unemployment rate fell by 0.5 percentage points to 4.9 per cent.

26,000 more people were employed in Alberta in December, primarily in full-time work, and the unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points to 6.9 per cent. the labour market in Alberta added workers in 2017, with a growth rate of 2.4 per cent (+55,000), the best performance since 2014.

In Ontario, employment grew 2.5% (+176,000) in 2017, just over double the growth rate recorded in each of the previous two years. Full-time employment accounted for nearly all the employment gains in 2017.

Hiring Trends and Career Tips

It’s cold out there, Canada, and workers are feeling the chill. In a recent Accountemps survey fifty-six per cent of Canadian workers said that cold weather negatively effects their mood, and 51 per cent cite winter as the season they are least happy. But remember, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Spring and summer are just around the corner…or at the very least, we get a little closer every day.

Looking to keep that pep in your step all year long? Whether it’s the middle of winter or the height of summer, these tips can help you keep your spirits up year-around:

Be social – Take a break from your desk to connect with your co-workers. Grab a coffee with your colleague or stop by the break room to catch up on office news.

Pursue professional development – As part of your new year goal-setting, explore and attend seminars or workshops to advance your knowledge and skills that will enrich your career.

Use vacation days –Take time away from the office to re-energize so you can come back refreshed and ready to take on that next professional challenge.